A MUM who lost everything in a house fire earlier this month will still have a Christmas with her children thanks to the kindness of strangers.

A fire gutted Helen Jones’s home on Taylor Avenue, Dolgarrog in the early hours of Sunday, December 2, and although the family escaped without injury, the blaze destroyed the contents of the house, including all four children’s clothes and toys.

Since news of the devastating fire spread throughout the close-knit Conwy Valley community, the village store, Porthllwyd Shop on Llanrwst Road, run by Cheryl Jones, started to take in donations after the community council donated £100 to help the family replace belongings.

Rita Jones, who is helping with the campaign, said the collection has been going brilliantly.

She said: “Whatever Helen gets is going to be better than nothing, but people have really been fantastic. It’s been going very well. I’m sure there will be at least a couple of hundred pounds in there.

“People have also come in to leave phone numbers for televisions and wardrobes, even clothes for the little ones.

“The community and beyond really has been fantastic.”

Helen, mum to two-year-old Amy and two boys who attend Ysgol Dyffryn Conwy and a daughter at Ysgol Dolgarrog, said she has been overwhelmed by the support she has received since the fire.

“I’m devastated, we lost everything. Nothing is salvageable. We can replace these things eventually, but not lives, so I am very grateful we’re all here to tell the tale,” said Helen.

“I’m also absolutely overwhelmed by the amount of support from the people of Dolgarrog. The kids have had school uniforms donated and we’ve been given toys from Amy, and Tal Goed nurseries even gave us a lovely Christmas tree.

“It’s important for the children that life remains as normal as possible.”

Helen said the family will be staying with her mum and dad in Ty’n-y-Groes until temporary accommodation can be found.

She added: “I’ve lived in North Wales all my life, but only in Dolgarrog for the past two years, and the community spirit and support I’ve been shown, especially at this time of year, has left me speechless. People have been so kind and helpful.”